Ivan Reitman Explains Why He Isn’t Directing ‘Ghostbusters 3′

Sony/Columbia’s long-in-development Ghostbusters 3is one of those projects that, just when we thought it was dead, a fresh round of interest and updates rolls in. With the unfortunate passing of the original 1984 film’s co-star and co-writer Harold Ramis and Bill Murray’s ongoing disinterest in appearing in another sequel, word is that the new film will focus on female Ghostbusters and could be directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids).

SuperHeroHyperecently talked with Reitman about the level of his involvement in the development of the film and why he decided to pass on taking up the director’s chair for a third time. According to Reitman:

“I am very involved. I’m a producer of the film. I wasn’t giving it all up. I suddenly felt that ‘Ghostbusters’ didn’t necessarily need me as a director, at least I didn’t need to direct ‘Ghostbusters,’ let me put it that way. Having done the other two and with the passing of Harold and with Bill Murray seeming disinterested in being in it, I thought it was better for me just to produce it and to make sure we’re going to have the quality and style of what is appropriate for another version of that film. But the franchise could benefit from somebody else’s point of view. I’ve done it twice before and it will be great to get somebody else to lend a hand as well.”

Reitman also commented on the similarly long-in-development Triplets project, a sequel to his 1988 comedy Twins, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. Triplets was supposed to feature Eddie Murphy as another addition to the family. On this, Reitman said, “I’d say it’s very much in the development stage and it’s now caught up in the middle of studio stuff.”

It may be safe to assume we shouldn’t hold our breath for that one. While Reitman’s most recent directing effort, the NFL drama Draft Day starring Kevin Costner, was another in a line of underwhelming box office performers (such as No Strings Attached and My Super Ex-Girlfriend), his clout as a producer remains significant, having overseen his son Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air, among other films.

Ivan Reitman helped shape movie comedies in the ’70s and ’80s, but many of his directing efforts have missed the mark in the past two decades or so. The tone he set in the first two Ghostbusters films will very likely serve as a basic template for the third, but Reitman’s stepping aside in favor of a more contemporary director might be a way to ensure studio and fan confidence in the threequel, along with allowing for a fresh creative perspective.

Are you excited for a third Ghostbusters movie? Who do you think should direct? Sound off in the comments.

Ghostbusters 3is currently in development. Stay tuned for more information on Triplets.